The team is preparing to release the veteran safety as soon as they complete a deal for free-agent backstop Chris Conte, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

The transaction is hardly inspiring. The Bucs will save roughly $4 million in cap room while absorbing $4 million in dead money off the five-year, $41 million pact Goldson inked in 2013.

Coach Lovie Smith continues to stock his roster with average-at-best performers from his up-and-down run with the Bears. Conte will compete for a starting spot alongside Bradley McDougald, with (another ex-Bear) Major Wright, Keith Tandy, M.D. Jennings and Shelton Johnson rounding out the position. Conte started 52 games over four seasons with Chicago, but finished last season as the NFL's 63rd-ranked safety out of 87 qualifying players, per Pro Football Focus.

Goldson arguably was worse, operating as one of the least effective defenders in coverage and struggling against the run. The Bucs remain a candidate to draft more help come April's draft.